Things to consider before boarding you pet
Find the perfect boarding facility
As much as you love your pet, the reality is that they can't come with you everywhere you go. But don't just drop off your pet anywhere. Do your research to find the perfect boarding facililty that matches with your animal.
There are many places these days that offer some amazing amenities such as a spa for your pet, luxury flooring like rubberized mats and artificial grass, luxury bedding, swimming pool, TVs, grooming and a dog park. Some facilities have 24/7 cameras in the kennel so that you can check in on your pet every now and then.
Questions you may want to ask before choosing a place:
Is there a veterinarian on site?
What happens if there is an emergency?
What kind of amenities do they offer?
Do they offer grooming?
Do they offer training?
What are the excercising options?
How often do they take the dog out of their kennel for a walk?
What are the standards for play groups?
What time are they feeding the animals?
What should you pack?
Do you need medical records or vaccinations to be able to use the facility?
Who is responsible for the daily care?
What is the staffing ratio?
What is the temperature within the kennel?
What is the cleaning process of the facility? How often are the various areas cleaned?
Reduce Stress
A pet is a member of your family. Boarding an animal can be stressful for both the pet and the owner. Pets are great at sensing stress so when you drop off your pet remain calm and leave quickly.
If your pet has never been to the facility you're leaving it at, you may want to introduce your pet to the new location first by doing a test run. You can either do a walk-through or a one night stay at the place.
Things to pack before boarding your pet
Special items: To make your pet feel more comfortable in the new environment, bring a few item from home, like your pets favorit blanket, toy or bed.
Food: Bring their regular food and some special treats. A change in diet can add stress to your pet and cause diarrhea. Always bring extra food. Something unexpected can come up, like a flight delay, so it's best to be prepared.
ID: Your pet should wear a collar with an ID tag with your dogs name, your phone number and address. You may want to consider microchipping your animal to make sure that your pet can be brought back to you in case it escapes.
Emergency contact: In case something goes wrong and the boarding facility can't reach you, you may want to leave an emergency contact information.
How much does it cost to board a pet?
The cost varies depending on the place and location of the boarding facility, but the average cost to board a dog is $40 per night.